Greek-Cypriot director Michael Cacoyannis helmed Stella, a Greek film that’s a retelling of Carmen, featuring Melina Mercouri in the lead.
It was written by Cacoyannis and Iakovos Kambanelis, with music composed by Manos Hadjidakis and Vassilis Tsitsanis.
Stella was originally intended to be play, “Stella with the Red Gloves,” but it was never staged.
This story was the right vehicle for the film debut of Mercouri Mercouri, who was 35.
The film sparked great controversy, and it was initially rejected by Greek critics.
At the 1955 Cannes Film Festival, where the film was screened, Melina met Jules Dassin, her future husband, mentor, and director. He helped her secure major roles in such films as Topkapi, Never on Sunday, Phaedra, which became major international successes.
The story of a fiercely independent and uncompromising young woman. Stella, a rembetiko singer at Paradise nightclub, lives a guiltless, turbulent life. Her innate independence and assertive nature lead her to numerous passionate love affairs. While with Aleko, son of a wealthy family, she decides, as is her habit, to break up before the relationship wears off. Once she meets Miltos, a young soccer player, she seems to change. At first, she avoids his advances, but, later, gives in to him. However, she can only be with him on her own terms. No matter how much she loves him, she mostly values her freedom. Called to choose, she repeatedly rejects Miltos marriage proposals.
When Miltos finally forces her to accept the idea of marriage, Stella does not appear in church, despite Miltos repeatedly warnings. Miltos kills her with a dagger at end of the film.
The story of Stella’s forced marriage symbolizes the forces that are constantly trying to impose their will on Greece.
Cast
Melina Mercouri as Stella
Giorgos Fountas as Miltos
Alekos Alexandrakis as Alekos
Christina Kalogerikou as Miltos’ Mother
Voula Zouboulaki as Anetta
Dionysis Papagiannopoulos as Mitsos
Sofia Vembo as Maria
Costas Kakavas as Antonis (as Kostas Karalis)
Tasso Kavadia as Alekos’ Sister
Michael Cacoyannis as Wedding guest
